When rolling out chronicled Al Sharpton’s desire to see more black advocates on the national level, we understood that the community’s response might be sharply divided — considering the source. While Sharpton has at times appeared self-serving in his attempts to “fight for the cause,” instances such as the recent arrest of Professor Henry Louis “Skip” Gates Jr. shows that we do in deed need a national voice for public discourse on black issues outside of the president. One reader agreed and wrote in. –dewayne rogers
Dear Brother Dewayne:
As per your recent article. I agree with Rev. Sharpton that we are far from “being there yet.” The recent arrest of Dr. Gates in his own home was no surprise for us in the ‘hood. But it might have been for those on President Obama’s “Main Street.” So now “cooler heads are prevailing” so let’s all go to the White House and make up over some beer? I have always said that, “Black folks let too much go” when it comes to white folks! Now if a black cop did that to Professor Gates he would want his head on a platter. And you would see no outcry from the police union in Cambridge, Mass.
Let me flip the script. Have you ever heard of a black policeman entering a white person’s home? Then after establishing that this was the person’s home arrest them without probable cause? I think not! First of all, that black officer would have been fired on the spot [with] his badge and service weapon taken. Then the white victim would have sued the cop and the city. End of story.
What should have happened to ensure that this doesn’t happen again is this: President Obama should have flexed his “Federal Muscles.” Professor Gate’s civil rights had been violated in the worst of ways. His Fourth Amendment right of protection from illegal search and seizure was denied him! The president should have called up his attorney general, Mr. Holder, and sent a team to Cambridge, Mass. Then you would not have heard Sgt. Crowley talking tough nor would you have witnessed the police union jumping to his aid so fast. But alas, once again the president’s handlers have stepped in and it’s off to the White House for some beer! This incident will continue to only happen to black folks because we let too much go.
Bill Cobham
Retired Lawman
Atlanta,
